Portable coolers

ABSTRACT

A portable cooler includes storage compartments for separately storing items in the cooler. A first compartment is generally formed at least partly by walls of the cooler. A second compartment is formed at least partly within the first compartment such that the second compartment extends at least partly into the first compartment. The second compartment is formed by at least one wall that also forms part of the first compartment. Items in the first and second compartments may be stored separately from each other and are accessible through separate openings in the cooler. In addition, the second compartment may be sealed from the first compartment so as to inhibit the ingress of liquid into the second compartment from the first compartment.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to coolers and, more particularly, to aportable cooler having at least two thermally connected compartmentsformed in the cooler for separately storing items in the compartments.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Portable coolers are often used for storing and cooling beverages,fruits, sandwiches, other perishable food items, etc. The coolerstypically have an insulated body with an open interior space in whichthe beverages and/or food items may be placed along with ice forcooling. An openable lid is normally used to cover the interior spaceand provide access to the beverages and/or food items in the cooler.

SUMMARY

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplaryembodiments are provided of portable coolers. In one exemplaryembodiment, a portable cooler generally includes an insulated bodyhaving a bottom wall and at least one sidewall. A first interior storagecompartment is at least partly formed by the bottom wall and the atleast one sidewall of the insulated body. A first opening allows accessinto the first interior storage compartment. A lid is movable relativeto the insulated body between an open position in which the firstopening is exposed to thereby allow access into the first interiorstorage compartment and a closed position in which the lid substantiallycovers the first opening thereby enclosing the first interior storagecompartment. A second interior storage compartment includes at least afirst portion formed by the bottom wall of the insulated body and asecond portion formed by a divider. The divider is formed monolithicallywith the bottom wall and separates the second interior storagecompartment from the first interior storage compartment. The secondinterior storage compartment extends at least partly into the firstinterior storage compartment. The second interior storage compartmentmay be sealed from the first interior storage compartment for inhibitingthe ingress of liquid into the second interior storage compartment fromthe first interior storage compartment. A second opening allows accessinto the second interior storage compartment independent of the firstopening and independent of the positioning of the lid relative to thefirst opening. A drawer is slidably receivable within the secondinterior storage compartment through the second opening. The drawer isslidably supported by the bottom wall of the insulated body that atleast partly forms the first portion of the second interior storagecompartment. The drawer is slidably movable between an open position inwhich items stored within the opened drawer are externally accessible,and a closed position in which the second opening is closed at least bythe drawer, thereby enclosing the second interior storage compartment.

In another exemplary embodiment, a portable cooler generally includes aninsulated body having at least one wall. A first compartment capable ofstoring items therein is formed at least partly by the at least one wallof the body. A second compartment capable of storing items thereinextends at least partly into the first compartment. The secondcompartment includes at least a portion formed by the at least one wallof the body. The second compartment may be sealed from the firstcompartment so as to inhibit the ingress of liquid into the secondcompartment from the first compartment.

In still another exemplary embodiment, a portable drinking coolergenerally includes an insulated body having a bottom wall and at leastone sidewall. The cooler also includes a first compartment for retainingdrinking fluids in the cooler. The first compartment is at least partlyformed by the bottom wall and the at least one sidewall of the body. Alid is movable relative to the body between an open position in whichthe first opening is exposed to thereby allow access into the firstcompartment, and a closed position in which the lid substantially coversthe first opening thereby enclosing the first compartment. An outlet isprovided for selectively discharging drinking fluids from the firstcompartment. The cooler further includes a second compartment disposedwithin the first compartment for storing at least one or more otherconsumables in the body separate from the drinking fluids retained inthe first compartment. The second compartment may be sealed from thefirst compartment for inhibiting the ingress of drinking fluids retainedin the first compartment into the second compartment. The secondcompartment includes an upper side, a lower side, and two opposing sidesconnected to the at least one sidewall of the body to form the secondcompartment. The second compartment further includes a forward end and agenerally opposing rearward end that are coextensive with a perimeter ofthe first compartment.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a portable cooler according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the portable cooler of FIG. 1 withthe lid shown in the open position exposing and allowing access into afirst storage compartment of the portable cooler;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the portable cooler of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the portable cooler of FIG. 2 with adrawer extended from a second storage compartment that is separate fromthe first storage compartment;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the portable cooler of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of the portable cooler with a body of the portablecooler shown in section taken in a plane including line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a section view of the portable cooler taken in a planeincluding line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a portable cooler according toanother exemplary embodiment with a lid shown in an open positionexposing and allowing access into a first storage compartment of theportable cooler;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the portable cooler of FIG. 8 with adrawer extended from a second storage compartment that is separate fromthe first storage compartment;

FIG. 10 is a section view of the portable cooler taken in a planeincluding line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a portable cooler according tostill another exemplary embodiment with a lid in an open positionexposing and allowing access into a first storage compartment of theportable cooler;

FIG. 12 is a view of the portable cooler with a body of the cooler shownin section taken in a plane including line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a portable cooler according to yetanother exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the portable cooler of FIG. 13 witha drawer extended from a second storage compartment of the portablecooler;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the portable cooler of FIG. 14 witha lid removed from the portable cooler exposing and allowing access intoa first storage compartment of the portable cooler;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the portable cooler of FIG. 15 with thelid not illustrated;

FIG. 17 is a section view taken in a plane including line 17-17 in FIG.16;

FIG. 18 is a section view taken in a plane including line 18-18 in FIG.16;

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a portable cooler according toanother exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of the portable cooler of FIG. 19 witha lid removed from the portable cooler exposing and allowing access intoa first storage compartment and with a drawer extended from a secondstorage compartment that is separate from the first storage compartment;

FIG. 21 is a section view taken in a plane including line 21-21 in FIG.20; and

FIG. 22 is a section view taken in a plane including line 22-22 in FIG.19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate anexemplary embodiment of a portable cooler 100. As shown in FIGS. 1through 3, the cooler 100 is generally rectangular in shape andgenerally includes an insulated body 102 and an insulated lid 104. Thelid 104 may be connected to the body 102 by, for example, hinges, etc.,along a rearward side of the lid so that the lid 104 may pivotally moverelative to the body 102 between a closed position (e.g., FIG. 1) and anopen position (e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3). In one exemplary embodiment, acooler includes an insulated body and insulated lid each comprising aninterior and an exterior plastic shell with hard foam disposedtherebetween for insulating the body and lid. In other exemplaryembodiments, portable coolers may have bodies and lids comprising othermaterials, for example, styrene foam, etc. In still other exemplaryembodiments, portable coolers may include uninsulated lids and/orbodies. In further exemplary embodiments, portable coolers may be otherthan rectangular in shape; for example, they may be square in shape,etc. In still further exemplary embodiments, portable coolers mayinclude lids that are completely removable from bodies.

Insulated body 102 includes a generally rectangular insulated bottomwall 110 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and four insulated sidewalls, including aforward sidewall 112, a rearward sidewall 114, a left sidewall 116, anda right sidewall 118. The bottom wall 110 is positioned generallyopposite the lid 104. The sidewalls 112, 114, 116, and 118 extendgenerally away from the bottom wall 110 along a perimeter of the bottomwall 110, and give the cooler 100 its generally rectangular shape. Inthe illustrated embodiment, each sidewall 112, 114, 116, and 118 ismonolithically formed with each adjacent sidewall and with the bottomwall 110 so that the body 102 is substantially monolithic or unitary inconstruction. Left and right sidewalls 116 and 118 (as viewed from aforward side of the cooler 100) include handles 124 (or grips) that canbe used for carrying and/or moving the cooler 100 as desired. Themonolithic, unitary construction of the cooler 100 may be produced usinga molding process to form the body 102. In other exemplary embodiments,a cooler may have a body in which one or more sidewalls and/or bottomwall is not insulated. In still other exemplary embodiments, a coolermay have a body that includes one or more sidewalls and/or bottom wallformed separate from other walls and attached thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bottom wall 110 and sidewalls 112, 114, 116,and 118 generally define a first interior storage compartment 130, whichis configured to retain and/or store items in the cooler 100. Thecompartment 130 includes an upper opening 132 for allowing access to thecompartment 130 and items stored therein. The lid 104 is configured tosubstantially cover the upper opening 132 when in the closed position(e.g., FIG. 1) and, together with the bottom wall 110 and sidewalls 112,114, 116, and 118, encloses the storage compartment 130 for helpingcontrol and/or retain air temperature therein. The lid 104 exposes theupper opening 132 when in the open position (e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3) andallows access to the storage compartment 130 through the upper opening132.

With reference now to FIGS. 1 through 5, a drawer 140 is disposed in theforward sidewall 112 of the cooler body 102 for retaining and/or storingitems in the cooler 100 separate from the first compartment 130. Theseparate storage feature of cooler 100 will be described in more detailhereinafter. Drawer 140 is generally rectangular in shape and isconfigured for holding items in the drawer 140. The drawer 140 includesa handle 142 that allows a user to grasp the handle and move the drawer140 relative to the forward sidewall 112. The handle may include otherstyles, for example, a recessed lip for pulling to move the drawer, etc.within the scope of the invention. In addition, latches may be includedon either side of the drawer to secure the drawer from inadvertentlyopening. In the illustrated embodiment, the drawer 140 is slidablethrough an opening 146 in the forward sidewall 112 generally between aretracted or closed position (e.g., FIGS. 1 through 3) and an extendedor open position (e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5). In the retracted position, thedrawer 140 is substantially within the cooler 100 such that itsubstantially closes the opening 146 in the forward sidewall 112. In theextended position, the drawer 140 is at least partly withdrawn from thecooler 100 such that items within the drawer 140 may be accessed fromoutside the cooler 100. More particularly, items in the drawer 140 maybe accessed independent from the upper opening 132 and first interiorstorage compartment 130 of the cooler 100, and without having tomanipulate the lid 104 of the cooler (e.g., without having to open thelid 104, etc.). Thus, when the drawer 140 is in the extended position,items may preferably be removed from the drawer 140 withoutsignificantly affecting temperature in the first compartment 130 of thecooler 100. In other exemplary embodiments, a cooler may include adrawer that is other than rectangular in shape; for example, in some ofthese embodiments, the drawer may be square in shape, etc. In stillother exemplary embodiments, a cooler may include a drawer with two ormore handles for grasping and moving the drawer. In yet other exemplaryembodiments, a cooler may include a drawer with handles shapeddifferently than illustrated herein. In further exemplary embodiments, acooler may include a drawer with insulation (e.g., insulated walls,etc.) for helping control temperature of items stored within the drawer.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the drawer 140 is positioned in a secondinterior storage compartment 150 of the cooler 100. In the illustratedembodiment, the second storage compartment 150 is disposed generallywithin the first storage compartment 130, but is separate from the firstcompartment. Thus, items in the drawer 140 within the second storagecompartment 150 are retained/stored in the cooler 100 separately fromitems in the first storage compartment 130.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the second storage compartment 150 is definedalong its bottom by a portion 156 of the bottom wall 110 of the cooler100. As such, the second compartment 150 may be broadly viewed as formedat least partly within the bottom wall 110 of the cooler body 102. Inother exemplary embodiments, a cooler may include a bottom wall having adepressed portion formed therein to receive a drawer. For example, thedepressed portion may extend along the bottom wall to facilitatereception of at least part of the drawer in the bottom wall as well asin the cooler.

The second storage compartment 150 is also defined along its forward endby the opening 146 in the forward sidewall 112 of the cooler 100, andalong its rearward end by the rearward sidewall 114 of the cooler 100.It should be understood that in the illustrated embodiment the rearwardsidewall 114 forms at least part of both the first compartment 130 andsecond compartment 150 such that both compartments 130, 150 commonlyshare the rearward sidewall 114.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the second storage compartment 150 isfurther defined by a divider wall 160 (broadly, a “divider”) along itsleft side 162, right side 164, and upper side 166. Divider wall 160extends from the bottom wall 110 of the cooler 100 generally into thefirst compartment 130 toward upper opening 132. The divider wall 160steps or transitions up from portions 170 of the bottom wall 110 on theleft and right sides 162 and 164 of the second compartment 150 (FIG. 6).The divider wall 160 extends over the second compartment 150 at upperside 166 from the forward sidewall 112 of the cooler body 102 to therearward sidewall 114 (FIG. 7). As such, the divider wall 160 at leastpartly defines the second compartment 150 within the first compartment130 so that the first compartment 130 surrounds (or borders) the secondcompartment 150 on three sides, including the left side 162, the rightside 164, and the upper side 166. In the illustrated cooler 100, thedivider wall 160 is formed integrally or monolithically with the bottomwall 110, forward sidewall 112, and rearward sidewall 114 of the coolerbody 102. This integral or monolithic construction substantially sealsthe second compartment 150 from the first compartment 130 so as toinhibit the ingress (e.g., leaking, etc.) of liquid into the secondcompartment 150 from the first compartment 130. Thus, items in thedrawer 140 in the second compartment 150 are preferably sealed fromliquid (e.g., water from melted ice, etc.) in the first compartment 130,inhibiting the ingress of liquid into the drawer 140. In other exemplaryembodiments, coolers may include divider walls that are not insulated.In still other exemplary embodiments, coolers may include divider wallsthat at least partly define second interior storage compartments withinfirst interior storage compartments such that the first interior storagecompartments surround the second interior storage compartments on morethan or fewer than three sides. For example, in one exemplaryembodiment, a cooler includes a first interior storage compartmentsurrounding a second interior storage compartment on four sides,including a left side, a right side, an upper side, and a rearward side(when viewing the cooler from a forward side). Here, a divider wall atleast partly forming the second storage compartment is integrally formedwith a bottom wall and a forward sidewall of the cooler, but not with arearward sidewall of the cooler. In yet other exemplary embodiments,coolers may include divider walls formed separate from bottom walls,forward sidewalls, and/or rearward sidewalls of the cooler and attachedthereto for sealing a second compartment from a first compartment.

In the illustrated cooler 100, divider wall 160 and bottom wall portions170 define a lower portion of the first storage compartment 130 as shownin FIG. 6. Divider wall 160 also defines an upper portion of the secondstorage compartment 150, while bottom wall portion 156 defines the lowerportion of the second compartment 150 as shown in FIG. 7. Neither theupper portion nor the lower portion of the second compartment 150 isexposed to the first compartment 130. In addition, the lower portion ofthe first compartment 130 is separate from the lower portion of thesecond compartment 150 (separated by divider wall 160). It can thus beseen that the first and second compartments 130 and 150 are formed atleast partly by, and commonly share, both the bottom wall 110 and thedivider wall 160 (in addition to the rearward sidewall 114).

With reference to FIG. 7, portion 156 of the cooler's bottom wall 110supports the drawer 140 for sliding movement between the closed positionand the open position. In other exemplary embodiments, a cooler mayinclude structure to support sliding movement of a drawer in the cooler.For example in these embodiments, rails or guides may be disposed in asecond compartment of a body of the cooler for supporting the drawerabove a bottom wall of the cooler body. The drawer may be slid along therails or guides for opening and closing the drawer. In the illustratedembodiment, the drawer 140 may be removed completely from the secondstorage compartment 150, if desired, for providing full access to thedrawer 140 and storage compartment 150. For example, the drawer 140 maybe removed from the second storage compartment 150 to clean the drawer140 and/or the storage compartment 150, etc.

It should now be appreciated that the first interior storage compartment130 is generally thermally coupled to the second interior storagecompartment 150 through the divider wall 160. When air temperature isreduced in the first storage compartment 130 (e.g., by introducing iceinto the first storage compartment, etc.), air temperature in the secondinterior storage compartment 150 is also preferably reduced through thedivider wall 160. Furthermore, because the two compartments 130 and 150are separated and sealed from each other, as ice in the first storagecompartment 130 melts, water does not ingress (e.g., leak, etc.) intothe second storage compartment 150. Thus, items desired to be kept drymay be stored and/or retained in the second storage compartment 150separate from the first compartment 130. In addition, and as previouslystated, items may preferably be removed from the drawer 140 disposed inthe second compartment 150 without significantly affecting temperaturein the first compartment 130 of the cooler 100.

In some exemplary embodiments, a portable cooler may include an outletfor selectively releasing liquid, for example water from melted ice,from a first storage compartment. For example, in one exemplaryembodiment, the outlet includes a spigot disposed in a sidewall of abody of the cooler adjacent a bottom wall. The spigot may have a cap orvalve structure operable to release the liquid from the firstcompartment as desired. In other exemplary embodiments, a cooler mayinclude two or more outlets for selectively releasing liquid from afirst storage compartment.

FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a portable cooler 200 according to anotherexemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the cooler 200 includes aninsulated body 202 and a lid 204 movably coupled to the body. The body202 includes a bottom wall 210 and four sidewalls 212, 214, 216, and 218configured to define a first interior storage compartment 230 havingupper opening 232. The lid 204 is movable relative to the body 202 toselectively cover or expose the upper opening 232 and first compartment230.

A drawer 240 is disposed in a second interior storage compartment 250 ofthe cooler 200. The drawer 240 extends through an opening 246 in a rightsidewall 218 of the cooler 200 (as viewed from a forward side of thecooler) for sliding movement between a retracted position and anextended position. The drawer 240 is generally rectangular in shape andincludes a handle 242 for grasping and sliding the drawer 240 relativeto the right sidewall 218. In FIG. 8, the drawer 240 is shown in aretracted position substantially within the cooler 200 so that items inthe drawer 240 are disposed in the cooler 200. In FIG. 9, the drawer 240is shown in an extended position and partly withdrawn from the cooler200. With the drawer 240 in the extended position, items in the drawer240 are externally accessible from outside the cooler 200 andindependent from the upper opening 232 and first interior storagecompartment 230; the items can thus be accessed without having to openthe lid 204. In other exemplary embodiments, coolers may include drawersdisposed in other sidewalls of a body of the cooler. For example, in oneexemplary embodiment, a drawer is disposed in a left sidewall of acooler body (as viewed from a forward side of the cooler).

With reference to FIG. 10, the second storage compartment 250 is partlydefined by the bottom wall 210 of the cooler 200, part of a leftsidewall 216 of the cooler, the opening 246 in the right sidewall 218 ofthe cooler, and a divider wall 260. The divider wall 260 defines aforward side 280, a rearward side 282, and an upper side 266 of thesecond compartment 250. The divider wall 260 extends from the bottomwall 210 generally into the first compartment 230 toward the upperopening 232. The divider wall 260 steps or transitions up from portions270 of the bottom wall 210 on the forward and rearward sides 280 and 282of the second compartment 250. The divider wall 260 extends over thesecond compartment 250 at the upper side 266 from the left sidewall 216of the cooler body 202 to the right sidewall 218. In the illustratedembodiment, the divider wall 260 is formed integrally or monolithicallywith the bottom wall 210, left sidewall 216, and right sidewall 218.This integral or monolithic construction substantially seals the secondcompartment 250 from the first compartment 230 so as to inhibit theingress of liquid into the second compartment 250 from the firstcompartment 230.

Divider wall 260 and bottom wall portions 270 define a lower portion ofthe first storage compartment 230. Divider wall 260 also defines anupper portion of the second storage compartment 250, while part of thebottom wall 210 defines the lower portion of the second compartment 250.Neither the upper portion nor the lower portion of the secondcompartment 250 is exposed to the first compartment 230. In addition,the lower portion of the first compartment 230 is separate from thelower portion of the second compartment 250 (separated by divider wall260). It can thus be seen that the first and second compartments 230 and250 are formed at least partly by, and commonly share, both the bottomwall 210 and the divider wall 260 (in addition to the left sidewall216).

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a portable cooler 300 according to stillanother exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the cooler 300includes an insulated body 302 and a lid 304 movably coupled to thebody. The body 302 includes a bottom wall 310 and four sidewalls 312,314, 316, and 318 configured to define a first interior storagecompartment 330. The lid 304 is moveable relative to the body 302 toselectively cover or expose the first compartment 330.

A divider wall 360 extends substantially across the cooler 300 from aleft sidewall 316 to a right sidewall 318 and from a forward sidewall312 to a rearward sidewall 314. The divider wall 360 is monolithicallyformed with each of the forward, rearward, left, and right sidewalls312, 314, 316, and 318, as well as with the bottom wall 310 of thecooler 300. The divider wall 360 defines a lower portion of the bottomof the first storage compartment 330. Divider wall 360 also defines anupper portion of a second storage compartment 350, while part of thebottom wall 310 defines a lower portion of the second compartment 350.Neither the upper portion nor the lower portion of the secondcompartment 350 is exposed to the first compartment 330. In addition,the lower portion of the first compartment 330 is separate from thelower portion of the second compartment 350 (separated by divider wall360). While the second storage compartment 350 is shown generallycentered between the left and right side walls 316 and 318, it may becloser to one side wall within the scope of the invention. In addition,the second storage compartment 350 may extend generally from the leftside wall 316 to the right side wall 318 within the scope of theinvention.

FIGS. 13 through 18 illustrate a portable cooler 400 according to yetanother exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the cooler 400includes a generally cylindrical body 402 and generally circular lid404. The lid 404 is configured for selectively engaging the body 402 andmay be moved between a closed position (e.g., FIGS. 13 and 14) and anopen position (e.g., FIGS. 15 and 16). In the closed position, the lid404 is configured to fit over a lip 490 extending upwardly from the body402 for secure engagement with the body. In the open position, the lid404 may be completely removed from the body 402.

The body 402 is insulated and includes a generally circular bottom wall410 generally opposite the lid 404, and a tubular sidewall 492. Thesidewall 492 extends generally away from the bottom wall 410 along aperimeter of the bottom wall and gives the cooler 400 the generallycylindrical shape. As best shown in the section views of FIGS. 17 and18, the sidewall 492 is monolithically formed with the bottom wall 410so that the cooler body 402 is substantially monolithic or unitary inconstruction. The sidewall 492 includes two opposing handles 424 thatcan be used for carrying and/or moving the cooler 400 as desired. Inother exemplary embodiments, coolers may include a bodies shapeddifferently than described and illustrated herein, for example, thebodies may be polygonal in shape with multiple sidewalls defining them(e.g., three or more sidewalls may define a cooler body, etc).

The bottom wall 410 and sidewall 492 generally define a first interiorstorage compartment 430 configured for retaining and/or storing potableliquid in the cooler 400 (e.g., water, juice, etc.). The firstcompartment 430 includes an upper opening 432 opposite the bottom wall410 for accessing the compartment 430 and for, for example, adding orpouring liquid into the compartment 430. The lid 404 substantiallycovers the upper opening 432 when in the closed position such that thelid 404, sidewall 492, and bottom wall 410 enclose the storagecompartment 430 and help control temperature therein, as well as helpingprevent the ingress of foreign objects and debris (e.g., dust, etc.)from getting into the storage compartment 430 and liquid stored therein.

An outlet 494 is disposed in the sidewall 492 of the cooler 400 adjacentthe bottom wall 410 for selectively releasing liquid from the firstcompartment 430. The outlet 494 is illustrated as a spigot having avalve structure 496 operable to release liquid from the firstcompartment 430 as desired.

The cooler 400 also includes a drawer 440 disposed in the sidewall 492and first compartment 430 about midway between the bottom wall 410 andthe upper opening 432. The drawer 440 is capable of retaining and/orstoring items in the cooler 400 such that they are accessible separatelyfrom the first compartment 430. As shown in FIGS. 14 through 16, thedrawer 440 is generally rectangular in shape with a rounded forward end498 corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the cooler body 402. Ahandle 442 is mounted on the forward end 498 of the drawer 440 forallowing a user to grasp the handle and move the drawer 440. In theillustrated cooler, moving the drawer 440 includes sliding it relativeto the cooler body 402 through an opening 446 in the sidewall 492. InFIG. 13, the drawer 440 is shown in a retracted or closed positionsubstantially within the cooler 400; the drawer 440 is configured tosubstantially close the opening 446 when closed. In FIGS. 14 through 16and 18, the drawer 440 is shown in an extended or open position, partlywithdrawn from the cooler 400. When the drawer 440 is in this extendedposition, items in the drawer are externally accessible from outside thecooler 400, independent from the upper opening 432 and first interiorstorage compartment 430. Moreover, the items in the drawer 440 can beaccessed without having to open the lid 404 of the cooler 400.

The drawer 440 is positioned generally within a second interior storagecompartment 450 of the cooler 400. As best illustrated in FIGS. 17 and18, the second storage compartment 450 is formed generally within, andextends through, the first storage compartment 430. The second storagecompartment 450 is defined generally by a divider wall 460 formed to arectangular tube shape. The divider wall 460 is formed integrally ormonolithically with the sidewall 492 of the cooler body 402 at a forwardend and a rearward end of the second compartment. In other words, a leftside 462, a right side 464, an upper side 466, and a lower side 484 ofthe second compartment 450 (as viewed from a forward side of the cooler)are monolithically formed with the sidewall 492 at the forward andrearward end of the second compartment 450. Thus, the rearward end ofthe second compartment is generally defined by the sidewall 492 whilethe forward end is generally defined by opening 446. As such, theforward end and rearward end of the second compartment 450 are generallycoextensive with a perimeter surface of the sidewall 492 and firstcompartment 430. This construction substantially seals the secondcompartment 450 from the first compartment 430 so as to inhibit theingress of liquid into the second compartment 450 from the firstcompartment 430. In addition, and with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, itcan be seen that the left and right sides 462 and 464 of the secondcompartment 450 (as defined by the divider wall 460) are spaced apartfrom the side wall 492 so that liquid introduced into the cooler 400through the upper opening 432 can pass by the second compartment 450 tothe bottom wall 410 of the cooler.

FIGS. 19 through 22 illustrate a portable cooler 500 according to afurther exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the cooler 500includes a generally cylindrical body 502 and generally circular lid504. The body 502 is insulated and includes a generally circular bottomwall 510 and a tubular sidewall 592 configured to define a firstinterior storage compartment 530.

A divider wall 560 extends substantially across the cooler 500 andaround an interior perimeter of the sidewall 592. The divider wall 560is monolithically formed with the sidewall 592 around its interiorperimeter as well as with the bottom wall 510 and defines a lowerportion of the first storage compartment 530. Divider wall 560 alsodefines an upper portion of a second storage compartment 550, while partof the bottom wall 510 defines a lower portion of the second compartment550. The second storage compartment 550 is located generally below thefirst storage compartment 530. Neither the upper portion nor the lowerportion of the second compartment 550 is exposed to the firstcompartment 530. In addition, the lower portion of the first compartment530 is separate from the lower portion of the second compartment 550(separated by divider wall 560). Moreover, the bottom wall 510 of thecooler 500 is not exposed to the first compartment 530.

A drawer 540 is disposed in the second compartment 550 of the cooler 500generally below an outlet 594 of the cooler. The drawer 540 extendsthrough an opening 546 in the sidewall 592 of the cooler 500 and issupported by a portion 556 of the cooler's bottom wall 510 for slidingmovement between a retracted position and an extended position.

In FIG. 19, the drawer 540 is shown in a retracted positionsubstantially within the cooler 500 so that items in the drawer 540 aredisposed in the cooler 500. In FIG. 20, the drawer 540 is shown in anextended position and partly withdrawn from the cooler 500. In thisposition, items in the drawer 540 are externally accessible from outsidethe cooler 500 and independent from the first interior storagecompartment 530; the items can be accessed without having to open thelid 504. In other exemplary embodiments, coolers may include secondinterior storage compartments formed so that drawers may move into andout of the second compartments at a location on the coolers away fromoutlets. For example, a cooler may include a second interior storagecompartment formed so that a drawer moves into and out of the secondcompartment at a location on the cooler generally opposite an outlet(e.g., in a circular cooler, about one-hundred and eighty degrees aroundthe cooler from the outlet; etc.). In still other exemplary embodiments,coolers may include two drawers vertically spaced apart (e.g., drawer440 in cooler 400 together with drawer 540 in cooler 500, etc.).

In still another exemplary embodiment, a cooler includes a body having afirst interior storage compartment and a second interior storagecompartment separated by a divider wall. In this embodiment, ice may beintroduced into the first storage compartment to produce an airtemperature reading therein of between about twenty-nine degreesFahrenheit and about thirty-four degrees Fahrenheit. In this embodiment,air temperature in the second storage compartment is maintainedsubstantially similar to that in the first storage compartment, forexample, between about twenty-nine degrees Fahrenheit and aboutthirty-four degrees Fahrenheit.

In other exemplary embodiments, coolers may include two or more drawersdisposed in one or more storage compartments within the coolers. Forexample, drawers may be disposed in a single interior storagecompartment; drawers may be disposed in separate respective storagecompartments; etc. In one exemplary embodiment, a cooler comprises threeseparate interior storage compartments. A first compartment is definedgenerally by the cooler, and second and third compartments are formedgenerally within the first compartment separate from the firstcompartment and separate from each other. Drawers are disposed in thesecond and third compartments such that items may be separately retainedin the drawers, and further retained separately form items in the firstcompartment.

Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, andthus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”,“lower”, “above”, “below”, “top”, “bottom”, “forward”, “rearward”,“left” and “right” refer to directions in the drawings to whichreference is made. Terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “bottom”,“top” and “side”, describe the orientation of portions of the componentwithin a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clearby reference to the text and the associated drawings describing thecomponent under discussion. Such terminology may include the wordsspecifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similarimport. Similarly, the terms “first”, “second” and other such numericalterms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unlessclearly indicated by the context.

When introducing elements or features and the exemplary embodiments, thearticles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there areone or more of such elements or features. The terms “comprising”,“including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements or features other than thosespecifically noted. It is further to be understood that the methodsteps, processes, and operations described herein are not to beconstrued as necessarily requiring their performance in the particularorder discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as anorder of performance. It is also to be understood that additional oralternative steps may be employed.

The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure areintended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

1. A portable cooler comprising: an insulated body having a bottom wall and at least one sidewall; a first interior storage compartment at least partly formed by the bottom wall and at least one sidewall of the insulated body; a first opening for allowing access into the first interior storage compartment; a lid movable relative to the insulated body between an open position in which the first opening is exposed to thereby allow access into the first interior storage compartment and a closed position in which the lid substantially covers the first opening thereby enclosing the first interior storage compartment; a second interior storage compartment having at least a first portion formed by the bottom wall of the insulated body and a second portion formed by a divider formed monolithically with the bottom wall, the divider separating the second interior storage compartment from the first interior storage compartment, the second interior storage compartment extending at least partly into the first interior storage compartment, the second interior storage compartment being sealed from the first interior storage compartment for inhibiting the ingress of liquid into the second interior storage compartment from the first interior storage compartment; a second opening for allowing access into the second interior storage compartment independent of the first opening and independent of the positioning of the lid relative to the first opening; and a drawer slidably receivable within the second interior storage compartment through the second opening, the drawer being slidably supported by the bottom wall of the insulated body that at least partly forms the first portion of the second interior storage compartment such that the drawer is slidably movable along the bottom wall between an open position in which items stored within the opened drawer are externally accessible and a closed position in which the second opening is closed at least by the drawer. between an open position in which items stored within the opened drawer are externally accessible and a closed position in which the second opening is closed at least by the drawer.
 2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the insulated body includes four sidewalls such that the insulated body is generally rectangular in shape, wherein each sidewall is monolithically formed with an adjacent sidewall, and wherein all of the sidewalls are monolithically formed with the bottom wall.
 3. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the first interior storage compartment borders the second interior storage compartment on three sides of the second interior storage compartment.
 4. A portable cooler comprising: a body having at least one wall; a first compartment capable of storing items therein, the first compartment being formed at least partly by the at least one wall of the body; a second compartment capable of storing items therein extending at least partly into the first compartment, the second compartment including at least a portion formed by the at least one wall of the body, the second compartment being sealed from the first compartment so as to inhibit the ingress of liquid into the second compartment from the first compartment.
 5. The cooler of claim 4, wherein the first compartment borders the second compartment on at least two sides of the second compartment.
 6. The cooler of claim 5, wherein the first compartment borders the second compartment on three sides of the second compartment.
 7. The cooler of claim 4, wherein the second compartment is formed at least partly in the bottom wall of the body.
 8. The cooler of claim 4, wherein a bottom of the second compartment is not exposed to the first compartment.
 9. The cooler of claim 4, wherein the body includes two or more walls, and wherein the first and second compartments are formed by and share at least two of the same body walls.
 10. The cooler of claim 4, wherein the body comprises two or more walls, wherein the at least one wall by which at least a portion of the second compartment is formed is a bottom wall, and wherein the first and second compartments being both formed at least partly by the bottom wall.
 11. The cooler of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a divider configured to cooperatively form at least part of the second compartment with the bottom wall, the divider sealing the first compartment from the second compartment.
 12. The cooler of claim 11, wherein the first compartment is formed partly by the divider and partly by the bottom wall of the body.
 13. The cooler of claim 12, wherein the body comprises two or more sidewalls, and wherein the two or more sidewalls, bottom wall, and divider are monolithically formed.
 14. The cooler of claim 13, comprising four insulated sidewalls extending away from the bottom wall for defining at least part of the first compartment, and wherein the second compartment extends at least partly into the first compartment such that the first compartment borders the second compartment on three sides of the second compartment.
 15. The cooler of claim 13, wherein the body comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed generally opposite the first sidewall, and wherein the second compartment is formed at least partly by the bottom wall, the divider, and the first sidewall.
 16. The cooler of claim 15, wherein the second compartment comprises an opening extending through the second sidewall of the body, and wherein the cooler further comprises a drawer receivable in the second compartment through said opening, the drawer being configured for sliding movement in the second compartment relative to the body.
 17. The cooler of claim 16, further comprising a lid movable relative to the body generally opposite the bottom wall of the body for closing the first compartment.
 18. The cooler of claim 4, wherein the body comprises two or more walls, and wherein the cooler further comprising a third compartment defined by at least one of said walls, the third compartment being sealed from the first and second compartments and extending at least partly into at least one of the first and second compartments.
 19. The cooler of claim 4, further comprising at least one outlet for selectively releasing liquid from the first compartment.
 20. A portable drinking cooler comprising: an insulated body having a bottom wall and at least one sidewall; a first compartment for retaining drinking fluids in the cooler, the first compartment being at least partly formed by the bottom wall and at least one sidewall of the body; a lid movable relative to the body between an open position in which the first opening is exposed to thereby allow access into the first compartment and a closed position in which the lid substantially covers the first opening thereby enclosing the first compartment; an outlet for selectively discharging drinking fluids from the first compartment; a second compartment disposed at least partly within the first compartment for storing one or more items in the insulated body separate from the drinking fluids retained in the first compartment, the second compartment being sealed from the first compartment for inhibiting the ingress of the drinking fluids retained in the first compartment into the second compartment; the second compartment having an upper side, a lower side, and two opposing sides connected to the at least one sidewall of the body to form the second compartment; the second compartment further having a forward end and a generally opposing rearward end, the forward and rearward ends being coextensive with a perimeter of the first compartment. 